IlonaM

Pauline Collins https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/06/shirley-valentine-actor-pauline-collins-dies-aged-85

No sweetheart. It is a fantastic sermon which should be shared. It is a rights-based sermon which received a standing ovation - if you can be bothered to get to the end.

A simple search for Southwark Cathedral and sermons revealed a webpage specifically dedicated to ... sermons !https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/worship-and-music/worship/sermons/ And the transcript you're after (along with a multitude of others): https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/worship-and-music/worship/sermons/god-i-thank-you-that-i-am-not-like-other-people/

I have only seen the video, but you could approach the Cathedral and see if one is available.

Prunella Scales https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/28/fawlty-towers-actor-prunella-scales-dies-at-the-age-of-93

You may have seen an article in the paper today about Jewish leaders and notables calling on the UN and world leaders to sanction Israel [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/22/jewish-notables-open-letter-un-sanction-israel], "... Prominent Jewish figures around the world are calling on the United Nations and world leaders to impose sanctions on Israel over what they describe as “unconscionable” actions amounting to genocide in Gaza. Over 450 signatories, including former Israeli officials, Oscar winners, authors and intellectuals have signed an open letter demanding accountability over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The letter’s release comes as EU leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday amid reports they plan to shelve proposals for sanctions over human rights violations. “We have not forgotten that so many of the laws, charters, and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust,” the signatories write. “Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel.” ..." There is also a petition we can sign to support them in their call for justice: Direct link: https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/stand_with_jews_demand_action_loc_cp1/?tUwBCsb&v=502713833&cl=22394973010&_checksum=7dc99acb5dd4fc5a43a24e21772f51005ea239753e9ae3033d9f79ffd6119559 "For the first time since the ceasefire, a powerful coalition of Jewish voices have come together, urging world leaders to keep the pressure up until real accountability and freedom are achieved.Their call can shift the political mood and give leaders courage to act decisively -- Amplify their voices and stand with them: The demands of Global Jewish Voices: To respect and abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice, noting their application also in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; to apply arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court; and to resist efforts to unduly pressure and influence and prevent the workings of both courts. To refuse any complicity in continued crimes and violations of international law against Palestinians by Israel, including by ending the provision of arms and other relevant goods and services; to use relevant leverage, including targeted sanctions on governmental bodies and individuals responsible for violations of international law, and suspension of relations with commercial entities contributing to these violations. To ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all Palestinians in Gaza at the scale that is commensurate to their vital need, that the blockade is lifted and materials for reconstruction enter, and that there is a full Israeli military withdrawal. To refute false accusations of antisemitism that abusively deploy our collective history to tarnish those with whom we stand together in the pursuit of peace and justice. If you are of Jewish heritage you can also sign here, and we will add the number of your voices to support the Jewish call for justice. Posted: 22 October 2025"

https://actionnetwork.org/events/no-tyrants-2-human-write "No Tyrants 2 - HUMAN WRITE # Start: Saturday, October 18, 2025•01:00 PM End: Saturday, October 18, 2025•03:00 PM Location:US Embassy London•33 Nine Elms Ln, Nine Elms, London SW11 7US, London, SW11 7US GB Host Contact Info: [email protected] NO TYRANTS 2: RALLY AND LAUNCH OF “HUMAN WRITE #___” 18 OCT 2025, 1-3pm @ US EMBASSY LONDON, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US We rose up once, and on October 18 we’ll rise again—because one protest isn’t enough to protect our democracy. As the American president, Donald Trump, escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO TYRANTS nonviolent movement continues to grow stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: the world has no use for an American tyrant king, and the power belongs to the people. Our first No Tyrants protest on June 14th gathered nearly 1000 people outside the US Embassy in London—a show of solidarity that proved the strength of our movement. Now, on Saturday, October 18th, we’re holding our second international No Tyrants protest—because this isn’t about one day, it’s about building a movement that lasts. On October 18th, come join us as we launch the world premiere of a new project! “HUMAN WRITE #____” is a protest installation spanning two continents. We're raising our collective voices to send messages directly to the White House. Forget AI, social media and the world of algorithms and influencers. HUMAN WRITE #____ is about real people getting their message across one letter at a time. How does it work? - Participants will be offered a blank card and a seat at one of the many typewriters displayed. - Write your personal protest message to Donald Trump — exercising your right to free speech. - Sign your card "Human Write" instead of your name (to protect your privacy). - Your card will be numbered and photographed for a digital archive, and then sent to Washington DC, where a group will hand-deliver thousands of messages from around the world. Multiple international locations will be participating on 18 Oct and beyond, creating a flood of messages from around the world to Washington DC. Everyone is welcome. If you can, bring a friend! On October 18, rise up, take to the streets, and say it loud: no thrones and no crowns for a wannabe tyrant king! Join us for the launch of this special project and hear inspiring speakers at NO TYRANTS 2. A core principle behind all of our events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events."

She's doing very well. Thanks.

Yes, thanks Sue. Bit of a scare, but escaped something a bit more serious! TBH I was more concerned about who might look after my post-op cat!!!!

Interesting article in the Guardian on Gaza protests around the world: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/11/the-gaza-effect-how-a-global-pro-palestine-protest-movement-met-repression-and-resistance

Unfortunately I ended up in King's Urgent Care & the Opthamology Emergency department yesterday - everything went to pot, as far as plans went anyway!

Same Strasbourg friend, another very interesting video about the exodus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSzRkWrUiHQ

Diane Keaton https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/diane-keaton-death-age-movies-b2843779.html

Unfortunately we can see from the history of the Israel -Palestine situation that a peace accord now won't necessarily lead to long-term peace and statehood for the Palestinians. This has been going on for decades, ever since the Balfour Plan in the 1920s, the Palestine Mandate and not forgetting that Palestine authority gave refugee status to many Jews fleeing the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s. Britain has a shameful role in handing the problem on to the League of Nations/UN and since then the world has watched on and done nothing or very little.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-donald-trump-nobel-peace-prize-gaza-deal-b1252133.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1760028650. That's how it was reported at the time. Most sources now are saying he would not be drawn on whether Trump deserved the Nobel peace prize for Gaza.

No surprise here from Netanyahu: Oh-oh, Trump's woken up https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/10/trump-nobel-peace-prize-reaction "White House slams Trump’s perceived Nobel peace prize snub as ‘politics over peace’ President has ‘heart of humanitarian’, spokesperson says after unsuccessful bid for prize amid Gaza ceasefire deal"

Direct link: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/middle-east-humanitarian-appeal?utm_source=dec-email-octt&utm_medium=email&utm_campagin=a028&utm_content=s0123&utm_campaign=15204006_s01 s02 s03 Gaza October Ceasefire update&dm_i=1FZE,91VHI,CFTZFC,11UB6Y,1 "Hello, We are writing with an urgent update. The ceasefire agreement in Gaza marks a fragile but vital moment of hope. With this moment comes hope for increased safe access, to bring relief to so many people whose lives have been devastated by conflict. DEC charities and their local partners are now preparing to scale up their work in Gaza after months of extraordinary challenges delivering aid. Food, water and shelter are desperately needed throughout Gaza. The levels of need are catastrophic. Please donate now. More than 2 million people, all of Gaza’s population, are facing extreme food insecurity. The UN-backed global hunger monitor, the IPC, confirmed in August that famine* is now a reality in parts of Gaza for the first time. Following the ceasefire agreement, safe access for urgently needed humanitarian aid is expected to increase, and DEC charities and their local partners are preparing to rapidly adapt and expand their programmes again. Donations to the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal are providing urgent relief to families in crisis. Please act now to help people in desperate need of emergency support, with food, water and shelter. We have seen what can be done during a period of ceasefire in Gaza to repair water supplies, reach the worst affected people and get emergency supplies to those on the brink. Thank you so much, Saleh Saeed DEC Chief Executive Photo credit: Majdi Fathi/Christian Aid * The UN-backed global hunger monitor, the IPC, said in its latest alert that famine (IPC Phase 5) is now a reality across Gaza City and surrounding areas. © Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), 17-21 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GT. Registered Charity Number 1062638. Questions and feedback, please email [email protected] or telephone DEC Donations Helpdesk 0844 800 4884. Any income received after 31/03/2026 could go to our emergency fund."

Yes, I've been waiting for his throwing the dummy out of he pram response. Maybe he didn't stay up for the announcement, or his staff are delaying telling him??!!!

Ha!!! Quite! But hopefully the Nobel Committee have their heads screwed on and are immune to the Big Orange Head!

He has been lobbying hard for the past few years for the Peace Prize. To date he has failed every time. Now we have Starmer the Appeaser suggesting he should get it for the Gaza deal. Far too early to talk about a lasting peace and, given the deliberate delays by Trump and the West and the horrendous harm caused, Trump is not Nobel Laureate material. Zelensky is trying the carrot trick - I'll nominate Trump for the Nobel if he stops Russia - desperate but dangerous.

He didn't get it! Huge sigh of relief. Giving Trump the Nobel Peace Prize would tarnish its repution and irreparably harm its credibility. He personifies everything that Nobel Peace Laureates are not. You only need to see what he is doing to his own citizens and to some of the most vulnerable members of our world community.

My vet has just sent me an advice email re fireworks and nervous pets which included this link to a desensitisation video on youtube: 'Desensitisation gently helps pets feel less scared by introducing them to worrying sounds slowly. Playing our firework sounds video in the background is a safe way to help your pets get used to the noises.' Normally I think one starts with the volume low and slowly increase in managed stages in response to your pet's progress.

Not sure if any injuries. A lot of fire & ambulances - possibly in case of injury rather than responding to known cases. Saw two ambulance incident response vehicles just as I was leaving the vet at around 1015am, so hopefully it is now under control and winding down. Touch wood it will be clear by the time I collect Bella this afternoon.